Charles Darwin University will celebrate a special day tomorrow with the graduation of its first Alice Springs-based doctoral student.
Dr Jane Walker will have that special honour when she collects her testamur at the university’s evening graduation ceremony in the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
Campus Administrator David Reilly said it marked the end of six years of research during which Dr Walker examined the management of a large and fragile portion of the Northern Tanami Desert near Lajamanu, 870 km north-west of Alice Springs.
“Graduation day is always a special day for anyone who has fulfilled the requirements of a robust educational program, but we are especially proud of Dr Walker and acknowledge her ground-breaking achievement,” he said.
“Dr Walker has been a positive influence in the research area of the campus and has been a good role model for fellow doctoral students with the dedication she has shown towards her work.”
Mr Reilly said Dr Walker’s achievement was an indication of things to come in terms of higher education in Alice Springs.
“We have developed a strong reputation for delivering quality VET programs over a number of years, but it is just as important that we get more runs on the board in higher education,” he said.
The academic achievements of some 350 students from higher education and vocational education sectors will be acknowledged at the mid-year ceremony.
Mr Reilly said the university would bestow the Companion of the University award on Alice Springs Town councillor Liz Martin OAM, who also would deliver the Occasional Address.
Kelly Goodwin, who has completed a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning, will deliver the Graduate Response.
CDU’s Alice Springs campus prize giving ceremony for outstanding student achievement will also take place tomorrow.
Scholarships and prizes will be presented to students who excelled in a particular area of study, or who demonstrated exceptional personal effort in achieving their outcomes.
Three of the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellors will deliver faculty addresses at the event, in CDU’s Desert Lantern Restaurant.